Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday requested people to “return to Puja” because the livelihood of many depend on the festival season business.

“A month has passed (since a junior doctor was raped and killed at RG Kar hospital). A month and a day. Last month had 31 days. I have a request, please return to Puja, return to festivity. And I will tell the CBI to ensure swift justice. This is now in your hands, not in ours,” Mamata said during a press conference at Nabanna.

“There are many whose livelihoods are centred around the Puja.”

Social media activists picked on Mamata’s “return to festivity” call to roast her for allegedly suggesting that people should abandon their call for justice and rejoice.

The 31-year-old postgraduate trainee was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The CBI has been conducting a probe since August 14.

The city has witnessed waves of protests and processions almost every day since, stalling traffic and disrupting business.

Many traders welcomed Mamata’s appeal because they said they heard in the disruptions a possible death knell for their business.

There have been days when protests on weekends occupied shopping hubs like Gariahat and Esplanade, resulting in near-empty stores.

Metro reported on Monday that barely a month before Puja, shopping had not taken off and traders were worried about what the future had in store for them.

“In retail, the line-up is ordered six months in advance, and three months before Puja the stocks are replenished. Sales have been poor for retailers this year and surplus stocks can have a long-term impact,” said Madan Mohan Bagree, vice-president, South City Group.

Bagree said the Durga Puja season supports the livelihoods of many people in the state.

“We understand that the death has left many heartbroken. But just like when there is a death in the family people try to overcome that for other members, people should try to think about those whose livelihoods depend on the Puja season,” said a businessman.

A man who sells knick-knacks on a footpath along Rashbehari Avenue said on Saturday afternoon that he had only a few customers till then. “If I don’t make money, how will I buy new clothes for my family?” said the man.

The poor sales might not impact a salaried person that much. For many of them, the pay cheque or the routine raise is often not dependent on external factors like the fate of the business.

Mamata said that this year the government has received extra requests for Puja funding. “We might not be able to accept all. The total expenditure on account of Puja grants to clubs is around ₹450 crore. I have asked for the release of the grants from tomorrow (Tuesday),” she said.

“If someone does not want to accept it, well and good, they have the resources. Give that money to the new applicants. We have a lot of requests pending. We might not be able to give it to everyone (among the new applicants), though,” the chief minister said.

Some puja committees have deliberated on forgoing state funds for this Puja as a mark of protest. The state government started giving funds for Puja in 2018. The amount has steadily gone up from ₹10,000. This year, it is ₹85,000.